Foldable table



Dec, 1%, 3%35. DUSjNBERRE 2,023,83G

FOLDABLE TABLE Filed Feb. 10, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dace. 10, 1935. G, DUslNBERRE 2,023,830

FOLDABLE TABLE Filed Feb. 10, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l J47 g I 30 Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

The invention to which the following description applies is in foldable tables which find their greatest application and utility for games, card playing or the like. Such articles of furniture 5 must be light in weight and economical of manufacture but at the same time must be easily set up and suiiiciently rigid to withstand considerable rough handling and abuse. It is an object of my invention to design a table for this purpose 10 which will have marked advantages in utility,

effectiveness and economy.

One of the objects of my invention is to design a table, the top of which may be kept entirely clear of articles which would interfere with or 15 distract the attention of the players or hamper their movements. In carrying out this object I make special provision for holding the various incidental articles or material which the players may desire. In making this arrangement it is 20 possible to have the top of the table clear for the dealing or playing of cards, placing the counters, game pieces or like and at the same time make it possible for the individual players separately to store their score cards, checks and counters 25 and take care of bottles, glasses, serving dishes,

match boxes, ash trays and other smoking articles or packages.

By the design of my invention I so position the supporting legs of the table that they will limit 30 or guide the players into taking positions in the center of the sides of the table. In this manner the players will be prevented from approaching or interfering with each other.

One of the objects of my invention is also to so 35 position the supporting legs of the table that players may seat themselves or move about the table with the minimum interference with the legs of the table. In other words, the positions of the supporting legs are such as not to interfere with the movements of the players in seating themselves or moving about the table.

A further object of my invention is to construct a playing table in such a manner as to provide more than the usual mechanical reinforcement 45 of the table top.

Among the objects of my invention is providing a table top with a removable center panel which may be appropriately marked as a game board or may have a special surface enhancing 50 the value of the table for playing purposes.

As illustrating the preferred form of my invention I have shown it by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved 55 table;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view with two only of the table legs extended;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified form;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the modified form 5 with two only of the table legs extended and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Briefly described the invention consists in a foldable table with supplementary shelves or 10 trays supported beneath the corners of the table top and foldable in conjunction with the supporting legs. In' the preferred form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the table top has been cut away at the corners so as not to overlie the lower shelf or tray. However, it will be readily apparent that this is not an essential feature of the invention and in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 I have shown the modified form in which the corners of the conventional table top overlie the shelf below.

The table top I in Fig. 1 has the corners cut away to form the coves or recesses 8. These recesses may be given any suitable form but have been illustrated as having a diagonal wall 9 at the inner corner thereof. The table top has a molding, flange or apron l6 which extends entirely around the top and depends to any desired extent.

The center of the table top has a removable panel I I which may be given the design of a game board as shown in Fig. 1. It is also possible in this manner to provide an especially suitable surface for the panel I I so that it will facilitate the playing of cards or the like. It will also permit this panel to be of maximum durability and will likewise permit the use of less durable but more attractive covering for the remainder of the top of the table.

The table top is supported by a frame consisting of a series of parallel or intersecting ribs. The main ribs l2, l3, I4 and I5 extend across the table top as shown in Fig. 2. They may extend from one edge to the opposite edge being mitered at their intersections. However, in the modification shown I have indicated the rib I2 to extend from one molding Ill to the intersection with the main rib I3. In this event a filler rib I6 extends in prolongation of the rib I2 from the intersection of the latter with the rib I3 to the opposite molding Ill.

In like manner the main ribs I2, I3, I I, and I5 extend in each case from one edge molding It to an intersection with another main rib and filler ribs I6 extend in prolongation of each main rib.

The inner edge of each main rib I2, I3, I4,

and I5 is grooved longitudinally as shown at I? in Fig. 3 to form a track for the usual spring bar by which the table leg is braced in extended position. At each end of the groove I! there is a recess I8 into which the spring bar will lock. In order to facilitate release of the spring bar from the recess l8 the main ribs are provided with a transverse notch I9 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The auxiliary ribs 20, 2|, 22, and 23 connect the ends of parallel bars of main ribs. These auxiliary ribs underlie the side edges of the table top back of the molding l0. Each auxiliary rib is m'ortised at its ends to fit the ends of the main ribs or the end of one main rib and the filler rib l6 if the latter is used.

The arrangement of main ribs I2, I 3, I 4, and IS, the auxiliary ribs 20, 2|, 22,and.23 and the filler rib l6 provide a rigid and substantial supporting frame for the table top. The frame is easily constructed of wood. However, the design is equally well adapted for construction in sheet metal as the ribs may be fabricated from angle iron or even be upset from the material of the table top if the latter happens also to be of sheet metal. The form of the table top is not limited to the cruciform indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 but may be made square or other design without impairing the effectiveness of the frame thus described.

The arrangement of the supporting frame outlined above is particularly adapted for use with the removable panel H by which a game board or design may be applied. It will readily be seen that the insertion and removal of such a panel is independent of the supporting frame for the remainder of the table top and that the panel itself will be equally supported around its periphery.

The table is supported by four legs 24, 25, 26, and Z7. These legs are mounted on hinges 28 by which the legs can be attached to the frame wherever desired. I prefer to attach these legs to the frame at the intersections of the main ribs with the auxiliary ribs. This will permit each leg to fold down into coincidence with one of the main ribs. At the same time the position of the leg is removed from the corners of the normally square table. This has very decided advantages in preventing the interference of the leg in seating. As shown in Fig. 2 the legs 24 and 25 are in extended position while the legs 26 and 2'! are in the folded position over the main ribs l4 and I5 respectively.

The customary spring brace 29 is hinged at intermediate points on the legs and the free end travels in the groove ll of the main ribs. The spring brace locks into position at each extremity of movement as has already been described.

The opposite ends of each main rib or the filler rib l6 as the case may be, serve as points of connection for hangers 30. Each hanger is in the form of the letter T, the base of which is attached by means of hinge 3| to the frame between a main rib and its adjacent parallel auxiliary rib. The hanger 30 has a transverse extension 32 which is shown in perspective in Fig. 1. One portion of the extension 32 may carry a lug for attaching an article such as a match box or the like.

The lower edge of the extension 32 carries two hinges 34, 34.

A bracket 35 extends laterally from each leg at a distance from its hinge connection equal to the length of the hanger 30. The under portion of this bracket also carries two hinges 34, 34. A tray 36 is held by the hinges 34 in pivotal relation to the hanger and the corresponding parallel bracket 35.

The inner edge of the tray 36 has an upstand- 5 ing flange 31. This flange carries a rearwardly extending lug or keeper 38. When the table leg is folded into coincidence with the main rib this keeper 38 is held up against the rib and thus prevents the tray 36 and the hanger 30 from accidental displacement.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the table top is square as usual and the auxiliary 'ribs are extended to their points of intersection at the corners. The moldings l0 also reach to the corners. However, the attachment of the legs and the hangers to the frame is the same as above described.

When the legs are folded against the frame as shown in the case of 26 and 21, the trays 36 are practically in the same plane with the outer surfaces of the legs so that there are no projecting or bulky surfaces. The table may, therefore, be stored in a minimum of space.

By withdrawing the spring bar 29 from the recess l8 and allowing it to travel through the groove I? the legs are extended into supporting position. As this movement is carried out the bracket 35 lifts the tray 36 out of the plane of the frame and leaves it in a lower plane parallel to the table top by reason of the movement of the hanger 38 following that of the adjacent leg. The table is then set up as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

While I have used the spring bar 29 in the above example, the invention is equally well adapted to tables in which the legs are held in position by the customary toggle-bars. In either case the folding movement of the legs serves to control the position of the tray. As the legs are folded up into the general plane of the top, the 40 trays also follow and are brought up fiat against the underside of the top.

In some instances, particularly as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the horizontal bracket may be replaced by an additional hanger depending from the corner or other convenient point of the table and extending parallel to the leg to cooperate with the latter in supporting one side of the tray.

When set up the table provides a tray or shelf 36 at one side of each players position. This tray is beneath the level of the playing table and, therefore, serves to remove from the latter all obstructions and incidental articles. By shifting the position of the legs away from the normal corners of the table the players will find it easier to take seats at the centers of each side. In moving in and out the players are less apt to strike the table legs with theirfeet. This new position of the legs establishes a support in the most desirable points and the arrangement of 0 the supporting frame-work adds materially to the rigidity of the table.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention it is to be understood that many changes are possible in various features without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:-

1. A table comprising a top, a plurality of legs hinged beneath the top, a horizontal bracket on each leg, a hanger hinged beneath the table top and spaced from one of said legs, and a tray hingedly connecting the hanger with the bracket.

2. A table comprising a top, a plurality of legs hinged beneath the top and spaced from the corners of the top, a horizontal bracket on each leg, a hanger hinged beneath the table top and spaced from one of said legs, and a tray hingedly connecting the hanger with the bracket.

3. A table comprising a substantially square top with the corners thereof cut out to form recesses, a plurality of legs hinged beneath the top adjacent said recesses, a horizontal bracket on each leg, a hanger hinged beneath the table top at the side of each recess. opposite from the leg and a tray hingedly connecting each hanger and the bracket of the adjacent leg.

4. A table comprising a substantiallly square top with the corners thereof cut out to form recesses, a leg attached beneath the top near each corner, a horizontal bracket on each leg, a hanger beneath the table top at the side of each recess opposite from the leg, and a tray attached at each corner to the said bracket and horizontal extension.

5. A table comprising a substantially square top with the corners thereof cut out to form recesses, a plurality of legs hinged beneath the top adjacent said recesses, a horizontal bracket on each leg, a hanger hinged beneath the table top at the side of each recess opposite from the leg, a horizontal extension on each hanger and a tray attached at each corner to the said bracket and horizontal extension.

6. A table comprising a substantially square top, legs hinged beneath the topto fold against the top parallel with the side edges thereof, a transverse bracket on each leg, a plurality of hangers each hinged beneath the top and foldable against the top parallel to the adjacent leg, and a tray hinged to both the bracket and the adjacent hanger.

'7. A table comprising a top, legs hinged beneath the top to fold thereagainst, a transverse bracket on each leg, a plurality of hangers each hinged beneath the top adjacent one of said legs, a tray hinged to both the bracket and the adjacent hanger, and a keeper on the tray engaged by the leg in its folded position.

8. A table comprising a top having a supporting frame of intersecting main ribs and auxiliary ribs connecting the ends of parallel pairs of the main ribs and legs hinged to the frame at the junctions of the main ribs with the auxiliary ribs and foldable into coincidence with said main ribs.

9. A table comprising a top having a supporting frame of intersecting main ribs and auxiliary ribs connecting the ends of parallel pairs of the main 5 ribs, legs hinged to the frame at the junctions of the main ribs with the auxiliary ribs, a bracket on each leg, a hanger hinged to the frame in spaced relation to each leg and a tray hinged between each bracket and the adjacent hanger. 1

10. A table comprising a top having a supporting frame of intersecting main ribs, auxiliary ribs each intersecting the end of one main rib and parallel to an adjacent main rib, filler ribs connecting the free ends of the auxiliary ribs to 15 the adjacent parallel main rib, legs hinged to the frame at the junctions of the main ribs with the auxiliary ribs, a bracket on each leg, a hanger hinged to the filler rib and a tray hinged between each bracket and the adjacent hanger. 20

11. A table having a top, a frame therefor, and a series of supporting legs, each leg being hinged to the frame along one side edge of the table at a point inwardly from the point of intersection of said side edge with the adjacent side edge of 25 the table.

12. A table comprising a top, a plurality of legs hinged beneath the top, a tray hinged to an intermediate point on one of said legs, and supporting means hinged beneath the table top and spaced 30 from one of said legs, said tray being hinged to said means.

13. A table comprising a top, a plurality of legs hinged to fold beneath the top, a tray foldable with respect to and hingedly suspended from 35 the underside of the top and operatively connected with one of said legs for movement into folded position with the folding of the leg.

14. A folding table of the character described comprising a top; legs swingably mounted on the 4 top; a shelf hingedly attached to the table top adjacent to each leg, said shelf adapted to be moved to the operative position from the inoperative position as the adjoining leg is so moved; and a shelf-engaging member mounted on said adjoining leg to rigidly maintain the shelf in said operative position.

GEORGE M. DUSINBERRE. 

